state parks on the gulf

[MO_Rookie]

We are looking going first week of August and wondering which state park is the best we are traveling with two kids ages 12 and 8. We like to hang out at the beach, snorkel, bike riding, hiking on nature trails. Which park do you think would work best for us St. Andrews, Grayton or Gulf state park in Gulf Shores or if there is any others in this area you would suggest let us know. We are looking for any ideas on things to do in this area also.

[Pine_Barren]

Yea that is funny enjoy the beach

[MO_Rookie]

That's funny because we will be at Grayton July 6th-9th on site 28 so we will try and keep the site nice for you. We are looking so forward to this trip we have never taken our camper to the beach.

[Pine_Barren]

We will be at Grayton Beach starting July 9 for a few days celebrating our 24th anniversary. We are in site 28 if you there at that time look me up it would be nice to meet you. Enjoy your vacation at the parks. We go to Big Laggon a few times a year since it only about 35 miles away.

[MO_Rookie]

We just got 2 nights at Gulf State park and one night at Henderson so we will have a total of ten nights on the beach other parks we have booked are Big Lagoon, Grayton and Top Sail. Any more ideas around this area will be much appreciated. Thanks for all of your all's help.

[HawkTX]

We've stayed here and loved it: http://www.campgulf.com/rv-sites.html

[TPUC]

Drive over to Orange Beach and watch the fireworks off the fishing pier. Sync to music on the radio.

[MO_Rookie]

Thanks for all of your help we got three nights starting on July 3rd at Big Lagoon State park three nights at Grayton state park and three nights at Topsail. We are excited can't wait any more ideas you all have around the area will be great. Anyone know of a great place to watch the fireworks from Big Lagoon State park.

[Maurice45]

We camped at both Bucanneer and Gulf State in Feb.his year. Cant speak to August conditions though. We loved Gulf State, good trails for hiking and biking, the beach is less than a mile away and is an easy walk. Beautiful sand and well taken care of. The beach at Buccanneer is virtually non existent. You cross the road and there is a seawall directly on the water in most places. There is a small point with a sand beach but it is very small. The water park wasnt open then but does look like it is very nice. All in all we liked Gulf State park far much more than Bucaneer.

[Crodad]

Good luck with reservations. I tried to make reservations a couple of days ago and could not find any openings at those locations in June or July. I did find some open spots at St George Island.

[wbwood]

We love topsail. Going back in a couple weeks. Will spend a few nights there and then move on over to Grayton for a few nights. Stayed at at Andrews about 12 years ago was ok. But from what we remember, we like topsail much better. And you don't have to take the tram to the beach. You can walk or ride your bike. We biked it. We bought a bike trailer and put our chairs and cooler in it and tugged it along. Worked great.

[Pine_Barren]

Big Laggon is a nice park and like it was stated earlier it isn't far to the naval air station that has a very nice museum. Right across the Laggoon is Johnson beach which has the bay side (calm side) and the Gulf of Mexico also. We camp here a lot being it is only 45 miles from the house. Fort Pickens is nice but the last few storms have taken a lot of the trees out of the campground so not a lot of shade. Grayton Beach is nice we will be going there in July. It has been a few years since we have been to St. Andrews it is nice and stays full. There is a lot of stuff in Panama City beach for the kids to do. Any of the parks are nice. Enjoy

[floridacamper]

St Joseph state park.

[Bird_Freak]

NHIrish wrote:
MO rookie....they all have a different flavor, but they all have great beaches, which is the draw for us.

St. Andrews has some lovely sites on the water.... the #20 to #30 range for a larger rig. They are pretty wide open and some are 50 amp. St. Andrews has a busy feel. Fishing pier, rental boats etc. We like the lagoon side better...wide open feel...but the pinegrove may be cooler in the summer.

Topsail has a quieter vibe, with a pool and feels more like a "resort" campground". Some pond front sites. Bike or shuttle to the beach

Henderson is designed very well...you have lots of privacy and it is supremely well maintained and very quiet. No waterfront but a short walk on a landscaped boardwalk.

Grayton also quiet, and the two loops offer two differing experiences...the new side is full hookups and the older loop is more private. Bike ride to the beach.

I love all of them. They are some of the best state parks in the country. Good luck getting in to any of them for this summer though. Gulf State Park AL is the biggest by far and has everything. You may have more luck getting in there.

Others have mentioned Pickens etc...we have no knowledge as we are too big for the sites. All of the 4 we mentioned are pretty close to everything you will need...walmarts, movies, dining etc.

Good luck!

I agree with everything here except about Fort Pickens. I stayed there twice with a 38ft mh and once with 37ft 5er.

[NHIrish]

MO rookie....they all have a different flavor, but they all have great beaches, which is the draw for us.

St. Andrews has some lovely sites on the water.... the #20 to #30 range for a larger rig. They are pretty wide open and some are 50 amp. St. Andrews has a busy feel. Fishing pier, rental boats etc. We like the lagoon side better...wide open feel...but the pinegrove may be cooler in the summer.

Topsail has a quieter vibe, with a pool and feels more like a "resort" campground". Some pond front sites. Bike or shuttle to the beach

Henderson is designed very well...you have lots of privacy and it is supremely well maintained and very quiet. No waterfront but a short walk on a landscaped boardwalk.

Grayton also quiet, and the two loops offer two differing experiences...the new side is full hookups and the older loop is more private. Bike ride to the beach.

I love all of them. They are some of the best state parks in the country. Good luck getting in to any of them for this summer though. Gulf State Park AL is the biggest by far and has everything. You may have more luck getting in there.

Others have mentioned Pickens etc...we have no knowledge as we are too big for the sites. All of the 4 we mentioned are pretty close to everything you will need...walmarts, movies, dining etc.

Good luck!